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Things to consider when buying replacement heifers
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Cattle prices are good right now, which provides income to invest in the next set of females to rebuild or grow the cattle operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. One way to do this is by buying bred replacement heifers. However, it is important that cattle producers ask the right questions so that those purchased heifers are successful in their cattle operation.
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Happy 70th birthday to Missouri's state tree
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The flowering dogwood tree celebrates its 70th birthday as the Missouri state tree in 2025. There is no better place to celebrate than Missouri’s Ozark woodlands from mid-April to early May when the dogwood is in bloom, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Soil tests key to fertilizing warm-season forages
TUSCUMBIA, Mo. – Soil testing and proper fertilization are key to productive warm-season forages in Missouri, says Rudra Baral, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy
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MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic offers digital sample submission
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic now offers a digital diagnosis service to quickly identify plant health problems. Growers can easily submit photos of plants injured by insects, pathogens, weeds, environmental stress or improper care, says Peng Tian, director of the MU Diagnostic Clinic in Columbia.
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Clematis, Queen of the Vines
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – You can look high and low, but you likely won’t find a climbing vine that compares to the clematis, known as the “Queen of the Vines,” says Gwen Funk, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in horticulture. Part of the buttercup family, clematis comprises several species and numerous cultivars. Color, bloom time, habitat and even growth habit vary among species. There are varieties to fit into most…
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Missouri youths lead the way at 4-H Day at the Capitol
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On March 26, almost 900 Missouri 4-H members, staff, volunteers and parents gathered in Jefferson City for 4-H Day at the Capitol, a day of civic engagement, leadership and advocacy.
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The 'soy of gardening' includes edamame
COLUMBIA, Mo. – You may have seen edamame in grocery stores or on salad bars and not known what it is, says Todd Higgins, University of Missouri Extension specialist in horticulture. Edamame is a type of soybean grown for direct consumption by people. Edamame (pronounced eh-duh-mah-may) translates from Japanese as “beans on a branch” since they are often sold with the pod still attached to the stem.
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Easter lilies toxic to cats
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A favorite spring flower, the Easter lily, should be kept away from cats. If ingested, it could kill them. The perennial plant’s white, trumpet-like flowers might not sound the warning that all parts of it are highly toxic to felines.
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MFA Volunteer Fire Grants help firefighters save lives, protect communities
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Since 2020, the MFA Incorporated Charitable Foundation has teamed with University of Missouri Extension’s Fire and Rescue Training Institute to award MFA Volunteer Fire Grants to train and equip rural fire departments throughout the state.
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New resources help small businesses leverage social media
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Social media has changed how consumers connect with brands, but small business owners may find it a challenge to use social media to grow their business, says TaylorAnn Washburn of University of Missouri Extension. Two new MU Extension publications, which are available for free download, help business owners take on social media with a focused approach, Washburn said.
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Economics of drone ownership for agricultural spraying
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As the 2025 growing season approaches, many growers will consider using drones to spray their fields. A new University of Missouri Extension publication, “Economics of Drone Ownership for Agricultural Spray Applications,” introduces cost-estimating tools for farmers and custom operators interested in investing in drones for spray applications.
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MU Extension hosts farm management lunchtime webinar series
University of Missouri Extension is offering a five-part webinar series for women farm operators and landowners. Starting April 17, “Farm Management – On My Own” covers the basics of ag leasing, Missouri farmland values, rental rates and custom work rates.
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MU Extension, Extension Foundation launch national group to support veterans
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension, in collaboration with the Extension Foundation, has launched a new Connect Extension subgroup, “Extension for Veterans: Honoring Service, Providing Support.” This initiative is designed to support extension professionals who work with or are interested in engaging veterans, serving as a national hub for sharing resources, best practices, and innovative programs.
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MU Extension guide looks at corn leafhopper
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new University of Missouri Extension publication offers corn growers help in identifying Missouri’s newest corn pest, the corn leafhopper. MU Extension state crops and forage entomologist Ivair Valmorbida says “Biology and Management of Corn Leafhopper” offers insights on corn stunt disease and strategies to manage this new pest.
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4-H Clover Clays Charity Shoot raises $19K for youth programs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The third annual Missouri 4-H Clover Clays Charity Shoot raised more than $19,000 to support the Missouri 4-H Foundation. The March 16 event at the Prairie Grove Shooting Sports Complex in Columbia drew teams and sponsors from across the state for a day of competition, camaraderie and philanthropy.
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Child care gaps cost Missouri $869 million annually, MU Extension research finds
ST. LOUIS — Analysis from University of Missouri Extension reveals that Missouri loses an estimated $869 million annually due to child care shortages. This includes $723 million in employer costs from absentee workers and turnover along with $146 million in tax revenue that would otherwise be collected to support state and local economies.
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Plan for drought by choosing the right forage plan
TUSCUMBIA, Mo. – Now is the time for forage growers to plan for drought, says Rudra Baral, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy.
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Early control needed for poison hemlock
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Poison hemlock, a plant that can kill livestock, is one of the first weeds to appear in Missouri pastures, says Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri Extension weed scientist. It also can cause birth defects in the offspring of pregnant livestock, especially when eaten in its earlier growth stage by animals in their first trimester of pregnancy, says MU Extension veterinary toxicologist Tim Evans.
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Expert tips to tackle cyberbullying and protect yourself online
“One of the many reasons people may not want to connect online or use online applications is cyberbullying,” notes Joe Lear, a consultant for the University of Missouri Broadband Initiative. “Cyberbullying can have long-term consequences for the mental health of both youth and adults.
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Extension horticulturist named Conservationist of the Year
KEARNEY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Todd Higgins was recently named Conservationist of the Year by the Show-Me chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.
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Severe weather resources from MU Extension
Prepare for Missouri's tornadoes, floods, and late-season winter storms with expert guidance, emergency kits, evacuation routes, and communication plans.
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March is the time to plant hardy, heady, healthy cabbage and kale
COLUMBIA, Mo. – March is the ideal month to plant two of the hardiest and most nutritious vegetables a home gardener can grow easily: cabbage and kale, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Both are attractive in the garden, with colors ranging from pale green through dark blue to deep reddish purple. Flavors range from mild to strong, and both lend themselves to dishes both raw and cooked.
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Veteran R.E.A.D.S. hosts Jason Kander
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Veteran R.E.A.D.S. Signature Speaker Series will feature Jason Kander, Afghanistan veteran, best-selling author and the 39th secretary of state of Missouri.
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Pre-breeding exams for replacement heifer selection
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – For cow-calf producers, it is ideal to have one healthy calf on the ground per cow per year. Producers should also strive to have cows that are productive in the herd for many years. On average, a cow must stay in the herd for six years for the producer to break even on that cow’s initial investment along with yearly maintenance costs.
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5 tips to protect your pet from household hazards
COLUMBIA, Mo. – National Pet Poison Prevention Month in March is a good time to review how household items can endanger pets, says University of Missouri Extension veterinary toxicologist Tim Evans. Evans lists a few things to check in your home: 1. Safely store all household items that could be a danger to your pet. Pay particular attention to bedside or tableside medications that could cause serious injury or death to your pet.